Salah played alongside Fabregas at Chelsea after completing his move from Swiss club Basel in 2014. The Egypt international, however, didn’t get enough playing time under Jose Mourinho so he was loaned out to Fiorentina and AS Roma, before making his move to the Giallorossi permanent in 2016.

“I coincided with Salah in my first season at Chelsea [2014-15] before he left for Fiorentina,” Fabregas told Cadena Cope radio.

“He was young, he hardly played, but you could already see that he had talent. He always worked very hard and he gave his all.”

“Football is a lot about confidence,” he said. “The confidence that a coach can give you nowadays to achieve your best form is key,” the 30-year-old midfielder added, explaining that the environment at Liverpool is perfect for Salah to shine.

Since completing his move to Liverpool from AS Roma in the 2017 summer transfer window, Salah has scored 43 goals across all competitions so far. He has won a host of awards, including the PFA Player of the Year prize and is currently leading the Premier League Golden Boot race, five goals ahead of second-placed Harry Kane.

“It is for a coach to play you in the right position, to help you, to make you improve — this is crucial. That’s happened to Salah.

“Liverpool exploit his qualities to the maximum. Salah is talented, he is fast, he scores. Liverpool have players that open the doors to find Salah the space he needs.

“He has found the right place, the ideal time to shine, and he is doing a great job.”

After his impressive debut season at Liverpool, Salah has been heavily linked with a move away from the Reds, with several reports claiming he could join La Liga giants Real Madrid next season. However, Fabregas doesn’t expect Salah to leave Liverpool anytime soon.

“Right now if you are Liverpool and considering the season he has had, I don’t know how much you can ask for a player like him.

“I doubt that there is a club that can pay what Liverpool would ask for Salah. I’m sure Liverpool will not let him go easily.

“It’s hard to see Salah leaving Liverpool, at least this year,” he added.